A method of signal processing includes receiving an unknown signal that includes a distorted component and an undistorted component, and performing self-linearization based at least in part on the unknown signal to obtain an output signal that is substantially undistorted, wherein performing self-linearization includes adaptively generating a replica distortion signal that is substantially similar to the distorted component, and subtracting the replica distortion signal from the unknown signal to obtain the output signal. A digital signal processing system includes an input terminal configured to receive an unknown signal that includes an undistorted component and a distorted component, and an adaptive self-linearization module coupled to the input terminal, configured to perform self-linearization based on the unknown signal to obtain an output signal that is substantially undistorted, wherein the adaptive self-linearization module is configured to adaptively generate a replica distortion signal that is substantially similar to the distorted component, and the adaptive self-linearization module includes a combiner configured to subtract the replica distortion signal from the unknown signal to obtain the output signal. A method of signal processing includes receiving an unknown signal having a distorted component and an undistorted component, the distorted component and the undistorted component having a nonlinear relationship; and separating from the unknown signal a reference component and a target component. A signal processing system includes an input terminal configured to receive an unknown signal having a distorted component and an undistorted component, the distorted component and the undistorted component having a nonlinear relationship; and a separation blockcoupled to the input terminal, configured to separate from the unknown signal a reference component and a target component.